We are 53 days away from the beginning of the Carolina Panthers 2018 season. That means today we take a closer look at linebacker Ben Jacobs.Ben Jacobs Cheap Shaq Thompson Jersey , LinebackerBioHeight: 6’4”Weight: 240 lbsAge: 30College: Fresno StateNFL Experience: 6 yearsJacobs was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Browns in 2011 and bounced around between their practice squad and 53-man roster before being picked up by Cincinnati in 2012. After being waived by the Bengals, Jacobs was signed to the Panthers practice squad in 2013. He became a part of the 53-man roster in 2014 as a special teams player, where he has contributed every season since. He has a good chance to make the roster again in 2018 due to his veteran experience playing special teams. He will have to beat out a few younger guys in training camp, but I think his experience in the Panthers’ system will give him the upper hand. Information from Panthers.com contributed to this storyThe Hog Molly Report: Panthers vs Bengals Welcome ladies and gentlemen to the Hog Molly Report, where winning in the trenches is all that matters. Before we begin, we open with the reciting of our usual motto:In the spirit of Mr. Gettleman’s words (regardless of him having moved on) and the philosophy of building a team from the inside out, my goal will be to watch the hog mollies each game during the season and give them a grade based on their performance. This week we will look at uplifting win over the Cincinnati Bengals where the Panthers improve to 2-1 on the season heading into their early bye week. Like the game before it, this game wasn’t at all what we expected given the events of the week prior. Both sets of Hog Mollies came to play, even against a daunting opponent on both sides of the ball.Offensive Hog MolliesYards per Carry: 5.6, season: 5.5 (3rd, NFL)Yards per Play: 5.8, season: 5.8 (14th, NFL)Sacks allowed: 1, season: 6 (T-14th, NFL)Third downs converted: 6 of 13 or 46%, season: 42% (13th, NFL)Rating: 5 out of 5 Pigs in a Cam Newton blanketThe Carolina Panthers currently lead the league in average rushing yards per game and are third overall in yards per carry while consistently being down at least three of their expected starting linemen. I can’t overstate home phenomenal that is. Credit is shared by the hogs and the excellent offensive backfield behind them for this achievement. Even more phenomenal perhaps, is the fact that they only gave up one sack against one of the more talented front fours in the NFL, and kept pressure to a minimum on the day.Here’s a very brief sack report:1st Sack: Q4 11:59, 1st & 10, CAR 31 - The only sack of the game could have been a game changing disaster. Chris Clark succeeds on initial contact one on one vs. Carlos Dunlap, but eventually allows him by on an outside speed rush. The angle is just enough for Dunlap to reach out and get a hand on Cam Newton’s throwing arm as he cocks back for a throw. The ball comes out, thankfully it takes a Carolina bounce off a Cincinnati defender’s chest and Cam somehow ends up with it again.The bye week comes at an opportune time for the offensive line, as hopefully it will be enough time for Trai Turner to clear the concussion protocol. It should be noted that Tyler Larsen has done an excellent job filling in for him though. This was also a bounce back game for Greg Van Roten and Ryan Kalil, who struggled a bit against the Falcons. Van Roten was particularly brilliant on the day, helping lead the charge on a Cam Newton rushing touchdown and C.J. Anderson receiving touchdown.Chris Clark continues to be really good as far as the expectations go for a guy who would still be available to play left tackle once the season starts. The Panthers continue to trust him without much help on that left side, and though he surrendered the most pressure of any lineman, it was well within an acceptable range. On the other side http://www.pantherscheapshop.com/cheap-authentic-torrey-smith-jersey , Taylor Moton continues to be outstanding, and is making a great case for a Pro Bowl bid.Defensive Hog MolliesYards per Carry: 5.1, season: 4.9 (26th, NFL)Yards per Play: 6.7, season: 6.0 (26th, NFL)Sacks given: 2, season: 8 (T-9th, NFL)Third down allowed %: 4 of 10 or 40%, season: 38% (T-14th, NFL)Rating: 4 out of 5 Disruptive SnortsmanThis week is a great example of why they don’t play the game on paper. Statistically, allowing five yards a carry and seven yards a play is pretty bad, evidenced by the team’s season rankings. However, crunch time sacks like those delivered by Efe Obada yesterday (one credited, and one that became an incompletion on review) have far more reaching impacts. Just look at the play Carlos Dunlap made for the Bengals. That could have completely flipped the game result, had they recovered the fumble.Another thing that doesn’t show up on stat sheets are eye-based statistics like pressure generated, and the effect of pressure in a quarterback’s face. To that end, it was an extremely uncomfortable day for Andy Dalton, and the entire rotation more or less contributed. Kyle Love and Vernon Butler both had bounce back days, showing that maintaining effectiveness while they are on the field is crucial to our success. The interception counter was just as much a hog molly achievement as a defensive backs one... but particularly in one very impressive case...Hog Molly of the Week: Efe ObadaTo the tune of Obladi Oblada by The Beatles...Rivera has Marquise on the inactive list...Efe is your Sunday man.Rivera says to Efe man I like your face...Efe does the best he can.Oba dee Obada on the lawn bra...La-La Efe on the lawn.Andy D Andy Da on the ground bra...La-La Andy on the ground.This is probably the easiest award I’ll hand out all season. Obada made a name for himself, picking a really good day to have a career day. He effectively registered two sacks on Andy Dalton, and a game changing heads up interception. Some people are already crowning him the future of the Panthers pass rush, and while I would caution against that, it was an awesome step for a guy whose road to the NFL has been a strange and difficult one. But, there are some perks when you’re a very raw prospect like Obada. If your first real knowledge of the game comes from professional coaching, there are a lot fewer bad habits to break. I for one hope this is a sign of things to come, and I’m sure Rivera will factor him more heavily into the rotation going forward.